The first football team at Penn was formed in 1892, with James R. Howard serving as captain. The first full season of football was in the year 1896. Penn's first undefeated football team was in 1904 (7-0), and Penn's first Iowa Conference…
The first Commencement was in 1875 with Linda Ninde Dorland graduating. Commencement typically lasted all day starting with the Baccalaureate, and ending either with the President or a professor hosting the Commencement Dinner. In later years, it…
Penn Day was the day Penn students celebrated William Penn's birthday, but it rarely landed on his actual birthday. Starting October 1911, Penn College had a Penn Pageant that took place on Penn Day that performed episodes of William Penn's life.…
The first Field Day was held at Penn in June of 1891 where various track and field events took place. Meets were held for several years on Penn's campus. Penn participated in its first intercollegiate meet in 1897 at Simpson College. Participation…
Penn Academy started as Friend's High School on November 5th, 1872. John W. Woody was the first principal with Mary Chawner Woody and Anna Gove as additional teachers. When Penn College opened on September 24, 1873, the high school continued as the…
In 1890, Miss Amy Hutchinson came to Penn College as its first Music Professor in both vocal and instrumental. Over 75 students enrolled in her department. After the three years she worked at Penn, the Music Department became a well-established part…
Basketball at Penn really started taking off in 1900. They became Hawkeye Conference champs in 1914-15, and Iowa Conference champs in 1970-71. Both men's and women's basketball went on to become state champs multiple times during the 70's and 80's.
